Valve-stem-locking means for inner-tube molds and the like



1,680,777 w. 1.. FAIRCHILD VALVE STEM LOCKING MEANS FOR INNER TUBE MOLDS AND THE LIKE Aug. 14, 1928.

Filed May 10, 1926 fia 66 2 3 4L Z6 1 P0 y INVENTOR ATTORNEY above, will berin Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

* 1,680,777 PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER L. FAIRGHILD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

VALVE-STEIM-L'OCKING MEANS FOR INNER-TUBE HOLDS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed May 10, 1928. Serial No. 107,902.

This invention relates to new and improved vulcanizlng apparatus, more partic ularly to vulcanizing apparatus adapted for use for producing inner tubes used within,

outer casings orshoes to form a pneumatic vehicle tire.

The machine which forms the subject matter of the present invention, is of the type in which the article to be'treated, is placed in a mold and the vulcanization carried on with the article confined therein.

One of the objects of the invention, is to provide new and improved means for locking the valve stem of the tube in the wall of a sectional mold, the invention contemplat- 4 ing certain improvements over mechanism employed for a similar purpose disclosed in my United States Patent Reissue No. 16,542, dated February 8, 1927 Other objects and aims of the invention, more or less specific than those referred to part obvious and in part pointed out in the course ofthe following description of the elements, combinations, arrangements of parts and applications of principles, constituting the invention; and the scope of protection contemplatedwill be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated preferred forms of embodi ments-of my invention,

Fig. 1 represents a detail elevation, partly in section, showing the apparatus in locked position. 1

Fig. 2 represents a detail section taken in ing m the direction of the arrows.

ig. 3 represents a view similar to Fi 1 but with parts removed and the locking mechanism in open position. 3 Before proceeding to describe the structural details of the various embodiments of my invention disclosed herein, it may here i be noted that my invention is especially adapted for vulcanizing inner tubes formed of rubber compound wherein mating mold sections are employed, such, for instance, as shown in my said Reissue Patent No. 16,542, and where vulcanizing gases are to be introduced into the article being vulcanized through a valve stem extending inwardly through the mold wall; it being necessary that this valve stem be locked securely in the apertureof the mold wall through which it passes. In this type of mold mating in dividual heated sections are employed; the

ent No. 16,542.

the plane of the line IIII of 1 looklower section exceeding the upper one' in cross sectional area, so that the aperture through which the valve stem extends and lnto which it is to be locked, is located wholly within the lowermost-section of the mold.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral '1 denotes the lower mold section, the same being provided with a circular vulcanizing channel 2 adapted to recelve the inner tube 3 to be vulcanized, the latter being provided with a valve stem 4. This mold section is also provided with the usual steam chamber. The section .1 of the mold is provided with a squared rib 12 which fits in a correspondingly shaped recess 12- of the upper section 9, the construction being such that a circular vulcanizing cavity substantially oval or elliptical in cross section, Will be provided between the mating sections of the mold as shown in my said Reissue Pat- The lower section 1 is provided with a recess 16, having inwardly lnclined walls 17 and 18, said recess being formed in a solid part of the casting forming the lower mold section. The bottom wall of this recess is provided with a cavity 20 fitted to receive the valve stem 4.

The reference numeral 23 denotes a block so formed that it will exactly fit into the recess 16 of the lower; mold section and hav inga rib 12" corresponding to the rib 12.

he block 23 is provided with a cavity cor responding to the cavity 20, the construction being such thatwhen the block 23 is located in the recess 16, there will be formed an aperture extendin through the mold wall; the flat sides of said aperture corresponding with the usual flat sides provided on the valve stem and the curved sides correspond- I ing with the curved sides usually formed on valve stems.

The block 23 is fixedly mounted on the lower surface of the upper section 9 as by means of the screws 44 which pass through the block 23 and are screw threaded into the When closing the mold, unless the valve stem is lying in proper position within the cavity 20 of the recess 16, that is to say, if-

vent an occurrence such as above mentioned.

This mechanism comprises a pair of arms and 46 pivotally mounted at 47 and 48 upon the outer surface of the inner side of the lower mold section, the upper ends of said arms being provided with recesses 49 and 50, which recesses are adapted when the levers 45 and 46 are swung into engagement as in Figure 1, to form an aperture 51 which conforms to the shape of the valve stem 4, and which aperture registers exactly with the aperture formed by the cavity 26 of the block 23 and the cavity 20 formed in the lower section of the mold. The reference nu meral 52 denotes a slidable plate havin an elongated slot 53 through which exten the guide pins 54 and 55, which guide pins are headed by the nuts 56 and 57. The upper end of the plate 52 is provided with the slots 58 and 59, through which extend pins 60 and 61 mounted upon the plate 62, which plate forms a support for the entire mecha-- nism, and which is bolted to the lower section of the mold as by means of the bolts and nuts 63. The upper edge 64 of the plate 52 when the same is in its uppermost position, as illustrated in Figure 3, terminates adjacent the lower ed es of the recesses 49 and 50. Thus, it will e seen that when the unvulcanized tube is laid in the lower section of the mold, the operator grasps the valve stem and forces it downwardly between the free ends 65 and 66 of the arms 45 and 46 respectively. In its downward movement, the valve stem will engage with either the lower walls of the recesses 49 and 50 of said arms 45 and 46 or with the upper edge 64 of the late 52, whereupon the plate 52 will move ownwardly, and the arms 45 and 46 swing inwardly in unison, thereby grasping the valve stem of the tube to be vulcanized and holding it in the position shown in Figure 1 of the-drawings. until the upper section has been closed upon the lower section, and the valve stem locked in the aperture formed by the cavity-26 and the cavity 20 of the block and lower section respectively. This device is, therefore, really a safety device to insure that the valve stem is properly positioned before the mold sections are closed together.

It will accordingly be seen that I have portion of the tube to be vulcanized lies within the lower section.

It will be understood that various changes may be resorted to in the form, construe tion and arrangement of the several parts without departing from'the spirit and scope of my invention; and hence, I do not intend to be limited to the details herein shown and described, except as they may be included in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising, a plurality of mold sections adapted when placed in mating relation to form an annular vulcanizing chamber fitted to receive a tube to be vulcanized, a recess formed in one of said sections and having a cavity fashioned to receive a valve stem of said tube, a locking block ada ted to fit into said recess for locking the va ve stem in the cavity, and means for ensuring the proper seating of the valve stem in said cavity.

2. Apparatus of the character described con'iprising, a plurality of mold sections adapted when p aced in mating relation to form an annular vulcanizing chamber fitted to receive a tube to be vulcanized, a recess formed in one of said sections and having a cavity fashioned to receive a valve stem of said tube, a locking block adapted to fit into said recess for locking the valve stem in the cavity, and means for ensuring the proper seating of the valve stem in said cavity, said means being brou ht into action by the lateral movement 0 the valve stem into the cavity.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising, a plurality of mold sections adapted when placed in mating relation to form an annular vulcanizing chamber fitted to receive a tube to be vulcanized, a recess formed in one of said sections and having a cavity fashioned to receive a valve stem of said, tube, a locking block adapted to fit into said recess for locking the-valve stem in the 

